Kenneth Forrest, 92, First Panther Valley High School Principal

Kenneth E., 92, of 300 W. White St., Summit Hill, died Tuesday, Nov. 9, in Hometown Nursing Center, Tamaqua R.2. He was the husband of the late Mary (Derby) Forrest.

He became a faculty member at the former Summit Hill High School in 1934, teaching English, chemistry, and physics, and was named principal in 1952.

When the four Panther Valley communities of Summit Hill, Lansford, Coaldale and Nesquehoning formed their jointure in 1964, he began principal of the new high school. He served for two years before becoming Title 3 administrator. He retired in 1970.

During his career, he was an assistant track coach at Summit Hill High.

A 1934 graduate of West Chester State University, he received his master's in administration from Pennsylvania State University.

Born in Summit Hill, he was a son of the late Robert and Mary (Tippett) Forrest.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Panther Valley, Summit Hill, where he was superintendent of the Sunday school for 20 years and a clerk of session.

Forrest was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the Medical Corps with the 132nd Evacuation Hospital. He served in France, Italy, and Germany.

He was a manager of the American Legion's youth baseball teams, and was active in the the Red Cross Civil Defense program for many years, having been Summit Hill chairman. He was also a member of Summit Hill Ambulance Association.

He was grand marshal of the 1995 Summit Hill Memorial Day parade and a member of Masonic Lodge 677, Lansford.

Survivors: Sons, Robert of Lansford and James of Washington, D.C.; sister, Adele McElwee of Hagerstown, Md., five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.